Marine’s agonising family decision

CORPORAL Martin Murray, whose father died after suffering a brain haemorrhage in May

Commando’s father died after suffering brain haemorrhage

THE Oldham marine commando who tackled Somali pirates last weekend faced a personal battle just months before when he switched off his father’s ventilator.

Cpl Martin Murray led his comrades in a successful mission to destroy a pirate vessel in the Indian ocean last weekend.

Just six months before he was forced to make the agonising decision after his father, Paul Murray (53), was rushed to the Royal Oldham Hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

An inquest heard yesterday how Mr Murray, who lived with and cared for his 89-year-old mother Anna, was found unconscious in the back garden of her home in Rosary Road, Fitton Hill.

Coroner Simon Nelson heard how Mr Murray, an estate agent, had a drinking problem and could hardly stand that day. He was admitted to hospital rthat evening after being discovered by his mother in the garden, bleeding from his head. Doctors discovered he had suffered a serious haemorrhage.

Consultants ruled out surgical intervention and he was put on a life support machine and transferred to intensive care.

Two days later, on May 7, his commando son Martin was joined by family to say their last goodbyes.

Coroner Simon Nelson recorded that Mr Murray had died from a brain haemorrhage with chronic alcoholism as a contributing factor.